KUCHING: Declaring extra holiday or special holiday on November 18, will be a big help to the voters on 15th general election (GE15).
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) board director Dr Gregory Hii said the declaration will be good news to ensure voters exercise their right on the polling day (Nov 19).
“I hope all voters will ensure that they exercise this right to vote to determine who will become the government in the next four or five years. Thus, public holiday on November 18 is a big help to everyone,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune today.
He also said that, candidates of both Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and opposition play an important role to keep the voters aware and well-informed on checking for voting time and polling station during the campaign days.
“They (parties) will usually set up booths in convenient locations to facilitate checking of voting centres and time slot and alternatively for Internet savvy voters can check for themselves through the Election Commission (EC) website.
“Otherwise, you may be unable to cast your vote,” he said.
He also said that to ensure higher voters turn out for GE15, government and private sectors have offered fare subsidy/assistance for voters who are studying or working away from their voting centres.
“However, it may be affected by flight availability or cost of airfare.
“On the polling day, political parties will usually standby vehicles to ferry voters especially those who need transport to the polling stations.
“Such convenience or assistance should help to increase voters’ turnout,” he told.
What matters is the weather of the day; it is hoped the weather will also be kind to voters to exercise their rights to vote, he added.
